Kinetic energy hybrid system for transport refrigeration
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorsJames D. Casasanta, Benjamin E. Ferguson, Robert A. Chopko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system (20) is operable in a plurality of modes. The system has: a container (22) having an interior (24); an internal combustion engine (66); a refrigeration system (30) and a flywheel energy storage device (70). In at least one mode, the refrigeration system coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power and thermally coupled to the container to cool the container interior. In at least one mode, the energy storage device coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power from the internal combustion engine. In at least one mode, the energy storage device coupled to deliver power to the refrigeration system.
Claims22
A system (20) operable in a plurality of modes, the system comprising:
- a container (22) having an interior (24);
- an internal combustion engine (66);
- a refrigeration system (30), in at least one said mode coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power and thermally coupled to the container to cool the container interior, the refrigeration system being a vapor compression system comprising:
- a compressor (32);
- a heat rejection heat exchanger (34) downstream of the compressor along a cooling mode refrigerant flowpath;
- an expansion device (36) downstream of the heat rejection heat exchanger along the cooling mode refrigerant flowpath;
- and
- a heat absorption heat exchanger (38) downstream of the expansion device along the cooling mode refrigerant flowpath and thermally coupled to the container;
- a flywheel energy storage device (70):
- in at least one said mode coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power from the internal combustion engine;
- and
- in at least one said mode coupled to deliver power to the refrigeration system;
- an electric motor (72;
- 320) in at least one said mode coupled to the compressor to drive the compressor;
- and
- a generator (322), wherein the generator is in addition to an alternator or a generator providing electrical energy to the internal combustion engine, and in at least one said mode is:
- coupled to the internal combustion engine to be driven by the internal combustion engine;
- and
- coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor (320) to drive the compressor.
A method for using a system, the system operable in a plurality of modes, the system comprising:
- a container having an interior;
- an internal combustion engine;
- a refrigeration system, in at least one said mode coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power and thermally coupled to the container to cool the container interior;
- and
- a flywheel energy storage device:
- in at least one said mode coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power from the internal combustion engine;
- and
- in at least one said mode coupled to deliver power to the refrigeration system;
- the method comprising:
- operating the system in a normal energy-storing mode wherein:
- the internal combustion engine supplies power to the refrigeration system;
- and
- the internal combustion engine supplies power to charge the flywheel energy storage device;
- operating the system in an recovered energy mode wherein:
- the flywheel energy storage device discharges to power the refrigeration system;
- and
- operating the system in a plugged-in standby energy storing mode wherein:
- an external electric power source powers the refrigeration system and stores energy in the flywheel energy storage device.
A method for using a system, the system operable in a plurality of modes, the system comprising:
- a container having an interior;
- an internal combustion engine;
- a refrigeration system, in at least one said mode coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power and thermally coupled to the container to cool the container interior;
- and
- a flywheel energy storage device:
- in at least one said mode coupled to the internal combustion engine to receive power from the internal combustion engine;
- and
- in at least one said mode coupled to deliver power to the refrigeration system;
- the method comprising:
- operating the system in a normal energy-storing mode wherein:
- the internal combustion engine supplies power to the refrigeration system;
- and
- the internal combustion engine supplies power to charge the flywheel energy storage device;
- operating the system in a recovered energy mode wherein:
- the flywheel energy storage device discharges to power the refrigeration system;
- and
- switching between the recovered energy mode and the energy storing mode by varying a ratio of a continuously variable transmission.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.